Canada makes a point of encouraging family reunification in its immigration system. Every year, many citizens and permanent residents wish to sponsor their parents or grandparents so that they can join them on a permanent basis. By 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) expects to process a maximum of 10,000 new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).
However, no new registrations will be opened this year. Places will be allocated exclusively from the interest forms submitted in 2020, by randomly selecting candidates. This method, adopted several years ago, is designed to better manage the influx of applications and optimize the processing of files according to the capacities of the immigration program.
An unchanged selection process
Applicants wishing to sponsor their parents or grandparents will not be able to submit new forms in 2025. As in previous years, IRCC will draw on the existing 2020 pool to send out invitations. Those who receive an invitation will have the opportunity to submit a full application, provided they meet the program's eligibility criteria and financial requirements.
This approach allows us to process applications within the country's capacity, while ensuring that families already on the waiting list have a chance of being selected. However, it limits opportunities for new applicants wishing to start a sponsorship process.
Processing times and provincial peculiarities
Processing times vary according to the final destination of the sponsored parents or grandparents. For applicants outside Quebec, it takes about 24 months to obtain a decision. For those who will be settling in Quebec, processing can take up to 48 months.
This difference can be explained by the province's specific admission targets, which impose tighter quotas in the family reunification category. In addition to the federal process, Quebec applicants must obtain a Certificat de Sélection (CSQ) issued by the provincial authorities, which lengthens delays.
Impact of adjustments to the immigration plan
Every year, the Canadian government adjusts its admission thresholds in line with the country's economic and demographic needs. The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan introduced changes, including a downward revision of overall immigration targets. This reduction has a direct impact on the number of sponsorship applications accepted under the PGP.
As a result of these adjustments, IRCC must balance the influx of new applicants with the country's ability to process files efficiently and guarantee reasonable deadlines. This can be a frustrating reality for families who had hoped to sponsor their loved ones and were not among the shortlisted candidates.
Alternative ways to reunite families
Faced with the restrictions of the PGP, the super visa remains an attractive option for families wishing to welcome their parents or grandparents to Canada for an extended period. Unlike the classic visitor visa, this special permit allows stays of up to five years at a time, with multiple entries over a maximum period of ten years.
To make the Super Visa more accessible, adjustments have recently been made to the medical insurance requirements. These changes are designed to facilitate access to this option for families who cannot benefit from the PGP, while ensuring that visitors have adequate coverage during their stay.
The importance of parents and grandparents in Canada
Family immigration plays an essential role in the integration and well-being of newcomers to Canada. Having parents or grandparents by your side is more than just a family reunion; it also offers many emotional, social and economic benefits.
Emotional support and improved quality of life
The presence of parents and grandparents contributes to the emotional well-being of families. For immigrants, settling in a new country can be a challenge, and having loved ones by their side helps to overcome culture shock and remoteness. Moral support and family bonding help create a warmer, more secure environment, making it easier to adapt to life in Canada.
Grandparents also play a valuable role in transmitting values, traditions and the mother tongue. Their presence strengthens intergenerational ties and gives children a better understanding of their cultural origins, which is particularly important in a multicultural country like Canada.
Invaluable support for childcare and education
In many immigrant families, parents juggle professional responsibilities with family life. Having grandparents nearby can provide invaluable childcare support. They can help out on a daily basis, looking after younger children after school or passing on valuable knowledge and skills.
This support is particularly beneficial in a country where childcare can be expensive, and where long waiting lists for childcare places make it difficult to balance work and family. Thanks to their grandparents, many parents can concentrate more on their careers while offering their children a reassuring family environment.
An opportunity for young parents to develop their careers
One of the major challenges for young parents is to find a balance between their professional ambitions and their family responsibilities. The presence of grandparents often enables parents to pursue studies, accept promotions or explore new professional opportunities in the knowledge that their children are in good hands.
By reducing the stress of childcare and offering greater flexibility, grandparents play an indirect but decisive role in the economic growth of families. It also contributes to the personal development of young parents, who can better plan their future without compromising their family life.
Help with household management
Parents and grandparents can also help out with day-to-day chores, lightening the load on households. Whether it's preparing meals, taking children to school or managing certain domestic tasks, their contribution helps create a more balanced family environment.
This support is particularly beneficial for families new to Canada, who often have to adapt to a new professional and social environment. By providing additional stability, grandparents play a key role in the success and integration of immigrant families.
Social inclusion and mutual enrichment
Finally, the presence of grandparents promotes the social inclusion of older generations. Instead of living in isolation in their country of origin, they have the opportunity to share their daily lives with their children and grandchildren, while gradually integrating into Canadian society.
For their part, the younger members of the family benefit from the experiences and lessons of their elders, strengthening the family fabric and encouraging enriching intergenerational exchange. This harmonious cohabitation benefits society as a whole by fostering better integration of immigrants and enhancing the role of the elderly in the community.
Welcoming parents and grandparents to Canada is much more than just reuniting families. It is a real asset to the emotional well-being, education and professional development of young parents. Recognizing these advantages, the Canadian government is seeking to balance immigration policies to meet the needs of families, while ensuring effective management of the sponsorship program.
A possible second career for sponsored parents and grandparents in Canada
The arrival of parents and grandparents in Canada doesn't necessarily mean retirement or inactivity. Many of them, after having been sponsored by their children, choose to pursue their careers or take up a new line of work. Their contribution to the Canadian labour market can be invaluable, especially as the country faces labour shortages in a number of sectors.
Beneficial professional integration
Some sponsored parents or grandparents arrive in Canada with skills, diplomas and significant work experience acquired in their country of origin. Depending on their area of expertise and motivation, they can enter the job market in their original sector, or redirect their careers towards new opportunities adapted to their profile and local demand.
Work can also be an excellent way for them to integrate into Canadian society, build relationships and feel valued by actively contributing to the economy. What's more, a professional activity gives them greater financial independence, so they don't have to depend exclusively on their children or social assistance.
Accessible sectors in demand
Canada has a strong demand for workers in a number of fields where experience and maturity are assets. Sponsored parents and grandparents can consider opportunities in the following sectors:
- Personal services These include jobs in education, childcare and support for the elderly or disabled.
- Trade and services positions in sales, customer service, reception or administrative support.
- Crafts and manual trades for those with sewing, cooking, carpentry or other practical skills.
- Entrepreneurship Some choose to set up their own business or work for themselves, using their know-how to offer services to the community.
Access to training and work permits
To work legally in Canada, sponsored parents and grandparents must obtain a work permit if they are not yet permanent residents. In some cases, they may benefit from training or prior learning assessment programs to facilitate their integration in a specific field.
The Canadian government and several provinces offer resources to help newcomers familiarize themselves with the job market, improve their English or French and obtain recognized professional certifications. These initiatives provide concrete opportunities for seniors who want to stay active.
Personal and family enrichment
Working in Canada is more than just a financial necessity. For many parents and grandparents, work represents a source of personal fulfillment and an opportunity to maintain a stimulating social routine. It also enables them to pass on their experience to the next generation, providing a valuable perspective on the world of work and perseverance.
For their part, young parents also benefit from this professional commitment. When seniors have an income, they can contribute to family expenses or even financially support certain projects, such as grandchildren's education or the purchase of a property.
Dynamic, intergenerational family immigration
The idea that sponsored parents and grandparents come only for retirement doesn't always reflect reality. Many are motivated to integrate professionally, whether out of passion, need or a desire to stay active. This family dynamic not only strengthens the Canadian economy, but also encourages more balanced, intergenerational immigration, where each member plays a full part in society.
Thanks to immigration policies and various opportunities on the job market, seniors who wish to do so can consider a new career step, while enjoying their family and building a fulfilling life in Canada.
Information to come
Precise details of how invitations will be sent to selected candidates will be announced in the coming months. Those who submitted an interest form in 2020 are advised to check their inboxes regularly and keep up to date with official announcements.
For families who want to know more about their options, or who need guidance in their immigration process, meeting with our immigration consultant can be a valuable solution. He or she can offer personalized support and help explore all available alternatives.
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